Cardinal Gravel Camp – Bedford, VA

Come out to Thaxton, VA in Bedford County for weekend of gravel, fun, and friends! This is not a race—just a fun supported ride.

There will be aid stations on course, and the short and medium routes will be marked. Riders taking on the Grande Traverse will need a GPS and be able to self-navigate—this route will not be fully marked.

The Venue: Peaks Retreat and Adventure Center has direct access to the best gravel in Bedford County. They are not usually open to the public, so this is a prime opportunity to ride these routes.

The Routes: 

Bedford Piccolo Ramble: This is the most beginner-friendly gravel route you can find in the region! But it is still a challenge, so riders should be comfortable with rides of at least two hours with some climbing. Riders who are not quite at that level should consider joining Cardinal Bicycle’s Tuesday night ride to prepare. The route is almost entirely unpaved and will have one aid station where you can grab some snacks and hydration.

Bedford Medio Mountain Wander: This route travels through rolling farmland, sticking mostly to the smaller climbs with one bigger one, for a super enjoyable gravel cruise with a bit of extra challenge added in. This ride is a mix of pavement and gravel, and it will have two aid stations.

Bedford Grande Traverse: This big ride starts out mellow on the same roads as your Piccolo and Medio friends, but instead of turning back to camp, you will head out for one last loop of big climbs. Riders taking on this route should crave adventure, and also be self-sufficient. As such, the route will not be marked past mile 25. Riders must have GPS and be able to self-navigate. This route will have two aid stations.